History of St. John Baptist Episcopal Church, Mount Carmel, Wabash County, Illinois

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HISTORY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
MOUNT CARMEL, WABASH COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

By Mrs. Effie J. Keen.

The church property was purchased of the trustees of
the Presbyterian church by Bishop Seymour in July 1881.
At that time the chapel was completed and furnished, the
walls of the church proper were partially built and afterward
completed and the structure covered.

The first missionary was the Rev. J. S. Lassater, who
came in November 1881, and in connection with his duties as
missionary, opened a school, with Miss Elizabeth Smith as
assistant.

In 1882 the rectory was built. In June 1883 the Rev. J.
S. Lassater gave up the work and removed from the diocese.
The Rev. Ruall followed with a few months stay and then
moved to Mattoon. The third missionary was the Rev. R. B.
Hoyt, who came in August 1884 and labored very acceptably
for two years, and in 1886 on account of failing health, gave
up the work and afterward died at the Bishop's House in
Springfield. In July 1886 the Rev. H. C. Dyer came to the
mission and labored until December 1887, when he resigned.

The mission now became vacant and remained so until
June 1889. Services were conducted by Dr. John McClurkin
as lay reader, with monthly visits from the Rev. Dr. Frost,
the dean of Carlyle.

In June 1889, the Rev. J. B. Debbage, of Canada, was
sent to us as a missionary. His work terminated within a
year and he returned to his native land. During his stay Dr.
McClurkin was ordained a deacon. In November 1891, Rev.
Horace B. Goodyear came to the Mission, and under his in-
fluence it prospered.

On St. John Day, 1892 the mission was formally organ-
ized. Bishop Seymour nominating the following officers for
the remainder of the synodical year:

Warden, Karl Wirth.

[677]

678 Mrs. Effie J. Keen j.i.s.h.s.

Clerk, Joseph C. Hall.

Treasurer, Rev. John C. McClnrkin.

At this time the name was changed from St. Paul to St.
John Baptist at the request of Bishop Seymour.

On account of failing health, the Rev. H. B. Goodyear
gave up the work in June 1895 and returned to New York.

Rev. J. C. Colton came as rector of the mission in De-
cember 1895 and remained until March 1900.

Rev. J. C. Colton was succeeded by Rev. D. D. Chapin
who remained one year.

Rev. R. A. Russell was rector for one year, coming in
1903.

Rev. T. W. Datson was priest in charge during 1905-6.
He was succeeded by Rev. W. B. Thorn, who remained only
four months, 1906-7.

Rev. H. H. Mitchell was appointed to the charge. May
28, 1907. He resigned in May, 1908.

In his time the old church ruin was pulled down and the
rectory enlarged and remodeled. A tower was built and other
improvements were made to the chapel.

On Easter day, 1908, Bishop Osborne formed a church
council, as follows :

Wardens, Earl Wirth, J. C. Utter.

Treasurer, H. C. Steinbrucker.

Clerk, John H. Huchesoix.

Councillors — Joseph Wirth, Frank Bingham, Richard
Haley, Lyell Hill.

The Rev. T. W. C. Cheeseman was in charge from 1908
to 1912, removing to Pekin, 111.

The Rev. H. Gt. Trickett succeeded Rev. Cheeseman, re-
maining about two years.

Since Mr. Trickett 's departure there has been no regular
priest in charge.

At the present time (1918) the work is being carried on
by Rev. Dr. Keuhn, field missionary.